Chapter 34
Chapter 34
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 34
Chapter Title: The Unwanted War
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Caliper's capital, Alpenserd.
With war looming, Duke Helian was moving about busily.
"How are Albad's movements?"
"We're gathering intelligence right now!"
"What about Bekavia?"
"They seem intent on watching the situation for the time being!"
His expression was uneasy. He looked like he wanted to drop everything and walk away if he could.
An attendant approached and whispered in his ear.
"My lord Duke. There's someone who urgently wishes to meet you."
"Argh, I'm busy now! Tell them to come back later!"
"They said to mention 'Ilrain' and you'd see them. Does that ring a bell?"
"..."
Thud! Helian tossed the stack of documents he was holding.
"Tell them to come in. And clear the room—I'm taking a short break."
"Yes, sir."
Als's face looked equally sour as he entered the duke's office.
Als spoke right away.
"I didn't realize you lot were this stupid. A war with Albad? Are you kidding me?"
Helian hung his head.
"I have nothing to say even if I had a hundred mouths. I didn't expect things to turn out like this."
"Hmm. It seems this is proceeding without regard for your wishes, my lord."
"Yes. The situation got quite complicated."
The backdrop to this war lay in Caliper's internal power struggles.
The factions divided between Salleon and Helian had reached a reconciliation on the surface, but they were still checking each other beneath it.
"You know how the military's importance has risen since the Polldik Battle and the Three Lions War."
"Of course it would."
"Our faction held far greater sway over the military. Salleon's side was barely scraping by."
The Salleon faction wanted to expand their influence over the military. Doing so would naturally erode the Helian faction's power.
"That sort of thing doesn't happen overnight. But then, a certain variable cropped up."
"A variable?"
"One of our faction's key figures with military influence—the Marquis Millias house—defected to Salleon's side."
"..."
The Marquis Millias, who had betrayed the Helian faction.
"Don't tell me..."
"Yes. That incident at the party with you was probably the trigger. That fool. I might have understood up to that point... but the real problem is that, having seized partial military command, they egged on the king to start this war. Those idiots! They knew full well the price of defeat!"
"They must think they can win. The objective military situation does look favorable."
"Damn it!"
Duke Helian made no effort to hide his anger.
Als shrugged.
"If the terms are right, I could lend you my strength. Opportunities like this don't come often, you know?"
"I appreciate it, but there's no place for you in this war."
Due to special circumstances, Caliper's army was splitting into three forces for this war.
The Helian faction's 40,000 troops. Salleon's 30,000. And the royal house's direct 10,000. A total of 80,000 strong.
"Dunan will lead our army. Even if you came, it'd just sow confusion in the chain of command. Plus, from Salleon's side... Wade is coming out as supreme commander."
"Me? First I've heard of it."
"Not you. Casper Millias. That guy impersonating you."
"Haha! That's unexpected. You're handing supreme command to him?"
"They'll probably change the name or something. After victory, he'll claim he wasn't Wade—that others just called him that on their own. That's how they'll gloss it over. Borrow your name, reap the rewards, build up merits, and cover their tracks."
"Clever. But can he even rack up those merits? Not to speak ill, but Casper's skills are average."
"Average... You're rating him highly."
"He's called a prodigy, isn't he? Stands out among his peers."
"Stands out among peers. Coming from you, that's hilarious. Well, they seem to think they'll manage that part. They'll prop Casper up as a figurehead while their strategists pull the strings to fight the war."
"And the royal direct troops?"
"Prince Abilan will lead them. They'll handle rear supply lines, so no major role."
A war born from political issues within Caliper Kingdom.
Als nodded, seeing no opening for himself.
"I hope you win. Even a cadet like me doesn't want the sparks flying my way."
"I hope so too. But if things go south..."
"We'll talk then, my lord."
"Yes. I pray we never have to."
Als left the office.
Duke Helian let out a deep sigh and dove back into his work.
*
*
*
Having confirmed there was no room for me to intervene, all I could do was watch the war unfold.
Normally, big wars would draft in cadets too, but this one was mainly noble private armies, so cadets were spared.
Hoping for no worst-case scenario, I returned to the academy.
Even Reynpol Academy, just two days after my return, was in an uproar.
'To think something like this would happen after just two days.'
I'd half-expected it. But still, it was fast.
"You monster!"
"Hahaha! Eat this and die, you freak!"
Whoosh! Whoosh! Balls of trash flew toward Estelle. She just kept her eyes glued to her desk, enduring it.
'Sigh, kids will be kids.'
It left a bitter taste, but there was no helping it. Kids' behaviors were all the same.
No amount of lecturing them to act mature would stick.
What pushed me to the brink of fury was something else.
"Get lost, you too!"
"A beastkin like you? You belong in chains, slaves!"
Trash was flying at Ymir too, who was assisting Estelle.
For a moment, I thought my reason snapped.
Ymir was more precious to me than anyone. Especially after learning the hidden truth about Als.
Ymir ignored it all with blank indifference, but I couldn't.
"Hey, you. What the hell do you think you're doing?"
"Huh!?"
Crack! I grabbed the arm of the guy throwing trash and kicked him flying.
Crash! He tumbled across the floor.
"Who the hell are you, asshole!"
He had a decent-sized head, flushing red and charging right away, but of course, he was no match for me.
I dodged his wild swing and drove my knee into his solar plexus. Then I grabbed his collapsing upper body and hurled him away.
"Didn't I say I'm a cadet? If you knew and still came at me, you've got guts. Or should I say you're just stupid."
"Gah! Guh!"
"Cut the cowardly crap. Unless you want worse next time."
"You... Do you know who I am?"
"Who? Some prince?"
"What...?"
"If not, shut your mouth."
The classroom fell silent. The other students who'd thrown trash with him looked awkward and averted their eyes.
I sat down with a sigh.
'That wasn't like me.'
Something Eonia would do. Ymir knew it too, shooting me a scolding look that said not to do it again.
Estelle had been wide-eyed like a rabbit ever since I beat the guy.
"Lord Als...! You didn't have to do that for someone like me!"
"Huh?"
Could be seen that way. As far as anyone knew, Ymir and I were strangers.
"Ah... Yeah. I got hot-headed without thinking. I'll be careful next time."
The show of force worked—no one threw trash at Estelle or Ymir anymore.
And Estelle started talking to me more openly. She was starting to believe I truly didn't care about appearances.
The Crossing guy I'd hit ground his teeth glaring at me... but even if he had backing, it was no threat to me.
After that, Estelle and I stuck together like sworn siblings.
Not a bad situation for me.
I could tend to Estelle's mentality, and with her around, I avoided the usual hassle of other girls' invitations.
Her odor didn't even register anymore.
"Are you... really okay?"
Estelle asked cautiously over lunch.
"With what?"
"Eating with me like this. Really okay?"
"What's the problem?"
I looked around, puzzled, and she forced out the words.
"It's... my... smell... Doesn't it turn your stomach...?"
"Oh, that? It's fine. I told you I don't mind. Besides, it's not your scent—it's the illness, unavoidable. Your real scent must be lovely, Estelle."
"Eek... Y-Yes..."
Meals were especially enjoyable lately, boosting my mood.
After Ymir started tending Estelle, Eonia took over my meals.
Eo made only what I liked, unlike Ymir force-feeding healthy stuff. My lunchbox brimmed with meats and spicy sauces.
Ymir frowned at it.
Finally, unable to hold back, she said,
"Lord Ilrain. Don't you think some variety might be good?"
"What do you mean? It's like you know Remyu's take on my meals."
I played dumb, and Ymir rarely made a stern face.
"Hmm~ What yummy thing should I ask Eo for tomorrow?"
"Eek...!"
Ymir stamped her feet helplessly.
Then Estelle spoke up, as if resolved.
"Why... are you so kind to me, Lord Als?"
"Does it need a reason?"
"Yes. I can't understand otherwise. You're admired by so many, unlike me. I can tell how the other young ladies look at you. You don't need to bother with someone like me."
"Haha... That's all meaningless. It's just like admiring a pretty doll."
Still, she wanted a reason. Pity alone wouldn't convince her.
There was a reason, per her thinking, but I couldn't reveal it, so I bullshitted.
"It's an investment for the future."
"Huh?"
"Once you're cured, you'll be a stunning beauty. Then I'll naturally have ties to a beauty."
"Heehee, what kind of reasoning is that?"
She saw through the bluff but laughed pleasantly.
"Then for your sake, Lord Als, I need to get better soon."
Estelle showed a positive attitude toward treatment.
Mental care was working.
"Any leads on the illness? You look cheerful."
"Yes, I figured out the cause recently. And found someone who knows the cure."
Someone from Kurabel Holy Kingdom that Eo found.
'The Pontiff of Kurabel Holy Kingdom, was it?'
Like a mother to Eo's mother, she practically led Kurabel.
A meeting was set soon.
"Good for you. When you're cured and pretty, don't pretend you don't know me?"
"As if."
That was around when we finished lunch.
"Bro! That's the guy!"
A group approached, pointing at me.
The same guy I'd hit before. Hubert, I think.
He'd brought an older brother type, a sharp-eyed man beside him.
From his uniform, not an academy student—a Crossing active-duty officer.
"You're Ilrain? So you hit my brother."
"And?"
"My brother's an idiot, so I get why you're mad, but throwing punches first makes you just as dumb. Know that?"
To think he'd come for petty revenge.
Seeing no value in engaging, I signaled Ymir to shoo him.
"What do you mean by that? I don't understand."
Ymir turned away primly.
Ymir sulking! Probably cute protest over the side dishes earlier.
"Hahaha!"
I burst out laughing. They took it as mockery, narrowing their eyes.
He had some sense, at least. A Crossing officer roughing up a Caliper cadet without cause would stir trouble.
"Tch, words won't cut it, huh? You're a cadet, right? Fine. I'll handle you personally at the upcoming joint cadet training. No hard feelings. Just, if you love fists so much, go wild."
"Oh dear, then I'll have to skip academy that day."
"What?"
"When was it again..."
"You little..."
He was polite, but it was still unfair. If scolding, he should've hit his brother harder.
Hubert jumped in eagerly.
"Fine, do that? Without you, those two get it. Puahaha!"
"...Hey. Don't cross the line."
"Eek! B-Bring it!"
"Sheesh. Fine. I'll join that joint training. Happy now?"
"Ha, hot! Get ready, Ilrain!"
Hubert crowed triumphantly, but his brother looked pained. He'd seen enough to know right and wrong.
"I shouldn't have just heard my brother's side. I'll discipline him properly. Still, show up to training. It'll be good experience for you."
Once they left, Estelle grabbed my arm desperately.
"Don't go to training. If you get hurt because of me...!"
"Huh? Oh, no, it's fine. Won't happen."
His brother seemed to grasp the situation. Even at full strength, no way he could hurt me.
I reassured her several times, but Estelle wouldn't relax.